Maryellen Goodwin, a R.I. state senator; 58
PROVIDENCE — State Senator Maryellen Goodwin, who grew up in a politically active Irish-American family on Smith Hill and then won the same office once held by her father, has died following a long battle with cancer. She was 58.
Senator Goodwin’s death was confirmed on Saturday by Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.
“Our hearts are shattered by the news that our beloved colleague Maryellen Goodwin has passed away. Her accomplishments are numerous, and her legacy will be indelible,” Ruggerio said. “Maryellen made an unforgettable impact on all of us in the Senate, and on all who knew her. She lit up every room she entered with an infectious smile and razor-sharp wit. Our lives are richer for having known her.”
Senator Goodwin, a Democrat, was elected to the state Senate in 1986, and easily won reelection every two years, including in 2022. She also served as chair of the Providence Democratic City Committee under former mayors Angel Taveras and Jorge Elorza, a post she often joked was the one her late father, Thomas Goodwin, was most proud of.
In the Senate, Senator Goodwin was a champion for paid sick leave and a law that prevents domestic abusers from possessing firearms. She was a tireless advocate for Rhode Island, often supporting families in her neighborhood with money out of her own pocket.
Senator Goodwin leaves her sisters, Sheila A. Connelly and Maureen P. LaRocque.
Taveras built a close relationship with Senator Goodwin during his tenure in City Hall between 2011 and 2015. She served as his deputy chief of staff for the final year of his term and endorsed his campaign for governor.
“I feel I am a better person because I know Maryellen,” Taveras said. “She has been a good friend to me and my family, transcending politics.”
Messages of sympathy and memories came from across the Rhode Island political spectrum.
US Representative David N. Cicilline, a former Democratic state legislator, issued a statement calling Senator Goodwin “a dedicated public servant, a champion for her community and her district, and a beloved colleague to so many of us.”
“It has been a special blessing in my life to call her my friend and I am heartbroken by her passing,” Cicilline said. “Rhode Island is lucky to have been represented by a woman who every day worked so hard on behalf of her neighborhood and her community and believed so deeply in public service.”
US Senator Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat and former state legislator, described Senator Goodwin as ”a compassionate legislator, a true trailblazer, and a tremendous friend to her colleagues and constituents.”
“I had the pleasure of serving alongside Maryellen in the state Senate as she was elected to the seat that her father once held,” Reed said. “We all know how incredibly proud she made him, and as she rose through the ranks on Smith Hill, Maryellen gave us all a lot to be proud of too.”
US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, tweeted, “Maryellen was a sweet and kind person who trailblazed the way for women in government. She was loved and respected Providence-wide and state-wide, and her memory will live on.”
Governor Daniel J. McKee, a Democrat, said Senator Goodwin dedicated her life to public service and sponsored legislation to support senior citizens, strengthen worker protections, and boost school aid.
“I’ve signed into law many of Senator Goodwin’s bills, but I was most proud to sign her Maryellen Goodwin Colorectal Cancer Screening Act,” McKee tweeted. “This removed barriers that many Rhode Islanders face in accessing crucial screenings.”
Senate minority leader Jessica de la Cruz, a North Smithfield Republican, said Senator Goodwin “was not just a lawmaker but a strong leader and woman of deep faith.”
Senator Goodwin’s funeral will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home in Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 11 a.m. at Saint Augustine Church, Providence. Burial will be in Saint Ann Cemetery, Cranston. Dan McGowan can be reached at dan.mcgowan@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter at @danmcgowan.
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @FitzProv.